I was unable to convince my fellow councillors of the importance of taking immediate and strong action over the new fence at the east end of Hampden Way, closing access to the path leading to Parson’s Lane. This was presented as a matter of concern only to the residents of Hampden Way, and we should let things lie until the views of all the people in Hampden Way could be assessed.
I disagreed strongly. I believe that it is a matter for the whole village. The access has been available for over 30 years. My own young children used it to visit friends in Hampden Way and Martyn’s Way on their way home from school in the days before the current penchant for the school run.
The loss of any footpath or access in the village, particularly one that allows the need to walk along narrow roads to be avoided or reduced, affects all the village unless we are to ape the Americans in their love of gated mini communities.
If action is to be effective it has to be immediate and forthright, and not delayed and wishy-washy. I believe, based on actions by SOHA / SODC elsewhere, that the consequences of not taking action will be a planning application for the demolition of 6 garages and the erection of additional housing on the plot. Any objection to such an application on the grounds that it affects access to the path would be negated by the fact that such access had been closed.
I am not opposed to additional housing in the village, just to actions that deprive the village as a whole of an asset without proper debate and consultation
In the light of my failure to convince my fellow councillors of the need for such action, I felt that my continued service on the council would serve no purpose.
Brian Benson